Why the belgians?? (1 Viewer)

[Empire MM]

A few people have been asking me, "Why are you doing the Belgian army, what did they do?" Well, they did a LOT and one day soon, I will be making a short video for you all to watch, should you wish, all about the brave little Belgian army. In the meantime, here are a few facts about the soldiers depicted in the latest (and fast selling) set W1 - 1409.

1. The machine gun crew are Carabiniers.
2. The hats were known as Corsican hats and they had an oilskin cover.
3. A carabiniers coat was supposed to be green but, when in the field, these were actually black. The trousers were Marengo grey but again, more often than not, they were moleskin grey.
4. The trousers were also supposed to have a stripe down the side but, again in battle order, the trousers did not have the stripe.
5. Due to the black hats and covers, along with the black coats and the devastating accuracy of the operators, these chaps were known to have been nicknamed "The Black Devils" by the Germans.

W1 - 1409 is currently available via our web site and our 2 National dealers, Magpie of Evesham and The Armoury of St James.

 

[Obee]

A few people have been asking me, "Why are you doing the Belgian army, what did they do?"

Its great to see that someone is making the smaller players in The Great War because the BIG companies want to concentrate on the British (inc Colonials), German and French, and Ottoman (with K&C)

Keep up the good work with your unique range, and maybe you could venture into other forces from this conflict?

When I was traveling in Belgium, I was most surprise by the reaction of the locals when I said I was from Australia... they were so appreciative of the help from our troops, and all the other countries who came to their assistance in 1914, and the following 4 years, therefore someone, like you now, needs to honour their contribution in the defence of their own land.

Well Done

John

 

[Empire MM]

Its great to see that someone is making the smaller players in The Great War because the BIG companies want to concentrate on the British (inc Colonials), German and French, and Ottoman (with K&C)

Keep up the good work with your unique range, and maybe you could venture into other forces from this conflict?

When I was traveling in Belgium, I was most surprise by the reaction of the locals when I said I was from Australia... they were so appreciative of the help from our troops, and all the other countries who came to their assistance in 1914, and the following 4 years, therefore someone, like you now, needs to honour their contribution in the defence of their own land.

Well Done

John

Hi John,

Thank you for those kind words, they mean so much as a new manufacturer.

My experiences over in Belgium are the same. I am involved with living history as a hobby and have been to Belgium a few times now "in serge" and the reaction is always the same. They are a very proud and welcoming nation. Sadly, their heroic efforts and atrocities suffered are little known for the great war period, one reason why I chose the 10th Regiment and the carabiniers.

As well as talking to US dealers, I am investigating relationships over in Belgium, as that is where these figures should be on display and on sale of course.

We are now moving onto the BEF as you may have seen. We will though be adding other Belgian figures to the range as the year goes on, as well as adding other "colonial" regiments that have never before released for our hobby. I just hope people continue to support and buy the weird and wacky stuff we do {sm4}

If you ever have any ideas / thoughts you would like us to consider, please feel free to e-mail me directly. It is part of the ethos I put behind the brand when I launched it. malcolm@empiremm.co.uk

Best regards,

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[Mirof]

Why he Belgian ?

Reading this small article from WiKi, you will fully understand why
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium_in_World_War_I#Yser_Front

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

[BHogan]

Why he Belgian ?

Reading this small article from WiKi, you will fully understand why
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium_in_World_War_I#Yser_Front

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This poem was written by a Canadian officer though?
Cheers,
Brendan

 

[The Katzie Kid]

AIP needs to do a Belgian WW1 set.

 

[BHogan]

AIP needs to do a Belgian WW1 set.

...and some 1914-1915 British infantry, 1914 French infantry, heavy machine guns, and artillery! Not to mention figures for the other theatres of the First
World War. {sm4} :salute::
Cheers,
Brendan

 

[Empire MM]

AIP needs to do a Belgian WW1 set.

Until then....it would appear that Empire leads the way.....

:salute::

 

[The Katzie Kid]

...and some 1914-1915 British infantry, 1914 French infantry, heavy machine guns, and artillery! Not to mention figures for the other theatres of the First
World War. {sm4} :salute::
Cheers,
Brendan

AIP WW1-Soft Cap British/Canadian,Slouch hat Australians,Turban Indians,Kepi French,Belgians,Serbs,Italians,Turks,All WW1 sets with gas masks.

 

[Al Fisher]

Why not! They're colorful and underrepresented in the toy soldier world.

Bosun Al

 

[Empire MM]

AIP WW1-Soft Cap British/Canadian,Slouch hat Australians,Turban Indians,Kepi French,Belgians,Serbs,Italians,Turks,All WW1 sets with gas masks.

Chaps,

With respect, would you not be better off posting AIP requests in the plastics / AIP area? That way, 1, AIP would see what you, the collectors (their customers) would want and 2. This post would continue to be based around the announcement from Empire Military Miniatures.

Great ideas though and some of these are planned for Empire but, I am not sure if Empire's range is your thing?

Just trying to hep everyone and create a true win - win - win

Cheers, Malcolm. :salute::

 

[BHogan]

Chaps,

With respect, would you not be better off posting AIP requests in the plastics / AIP area? That way, 1, AIP would see what you, the collectors (their customers) would want and 2. This post would continue to be based around the announcement from Empire Military Miniatures.

Great ideas though and some of these are planned for Empire but, I am not sure if Empire's range is your thing?

Just trying to hep everyone and create a true win - win - win

Cheers, Malcolm. :salute::

My apologies. I didn't mean to hijack your thread.
Cheers,
Brendan

 

[Empire MM]

AIP WW1-Soft Cap British/Canadian,Slouch hat Australians,Turban Indians,Kepi French,Belgians,Serbs,Italians,Turks,All WW1 sets with gas masks.

My apologies. I didn't mean to hijack your thread.
Cheers,
Brendan

Hey Brendan!

It happens, we are all passionate collectors so please no worries {sm4}

Given me some great ideas so hey, what is there to complain about {sm3}

All the best,

Malcolm :salute::

 

[Mirof]

This poem was written by a Canadian officer though?
Cheers,
Brendan

Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

 

[Empire MM]

A few people have been asking me, "Why are you doing the Belgian army, what did they do?" Well, they did a LOT and one day soon, I will be making a short video for you all to watch, should you wish, all about the brave little Belgian army. In the meantime, here are a few facts about the soldiers depicted in the latest (and fast selling) set W1 - 1409.

1. The machine gun crew are Carabiniers.
2. The hats were known as Corsican hats and they had an oilskin cover.
3. A carabiniers coat was supposed to be green but, when in the field, these were actually black. The trousers were Marengo grey but again, more often than not, they were moleskin grey.
4. The trousers were also supposed to have a stripe down the side but, again in battle order, the trousers did not have the stripe.
5. Due to the black hats and covers, along with the black coats and the devastating accuracy of the operators, these chaps were known to have been nicknamed "The Black Devils" by the Germans.

W1 - 1409 is currently available via our web site and our 2 National dealers, Magpie of Evesham and The Armoury of St James.

View attachment 171631

And now of course, available from our very own Treefrog Treasures!!